USGBC Releases Top 10 States for LEED, Recognizes Leaders Committed to More Sustainable + Resilient Buildings, Cities and Communities

  • Posted on

The U.S. Green Building Council announced the ranking of its annual Top 10 States for LEED, with Illinois once again topping the list and demonstrating leadership in green building. Illinois certified 3.16 square feet of building space per person under LEED in 2021. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building program and was created by USGBC as a leadership standard defining best practices for healthy, high-performing green buildings. “Amidst the challenges of 2021, governments, companies and other organizations committed to taking bold actions to protect the climate, their employees and their communities,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

‘Breathing’ Building in Shenzhen Prioritizes Tenant Comfort, Well-Being

  • Posted on

A 158-meter-tall, 33-story tower, located on the edge of a public park at the center of one of Shenzhen, China’s key business districts, is now open. The high-rise was commissioned by Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank, and responds to the region’s tropical climate through a series of biophilic and sustainable design solutions. The tower’s façade is defined by an external diagrid, which serves as both the building’s structure, as well as an important solar shading element. At its base, the diagrid widens to create framed openings and views to the surrounding park and South China Sea, a short walk from the … Read more

Filed under: Around the World, eNewsTagged with: , , ,

Construction Begins on University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s New Residence Hall

  • Posted on

Initially delayed in 2020, construction has restarted on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s new six-story student housing building, Moore Hall (Phase XVI). Built by New Atlantic Contracting and designed by KWK Architects and Architect-of-Record Jenkins Peer Architects, the 147,000-square-foot residence hall will replace the old Moore and Sanford Hall towers (built in 1970 and 1969) to complete the upper south village residential quad and provide a direct pathway to the South Village Dining Hall. The project team worked closely with university administrators to design the new hall with the first-year student in mind. The building’s design includes traditional … Read more

Filed under: ProjectsTagged with: , ,

Genesis Marina Becomes World’s 1st TRUE Precertified Construction Site

  • Posted on

Genesis Marina, a 570,000-square-foot commercial office and laboratory project that general contractor Webcor is delivering in Brisbane, California, is officially the world’s first Total Resource Use and Efficiency precertified construction site. The TRUE program is administered by Green Business Certification, Inc., which also implements Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The precertification recognizes projects that have implemented the fundamental actions and policies needed to effectively pursue zero waste and have demonstrated a commitment to achieving TRUE certification. Webcor has been driving the sustainability initiative in partnership with zero waste consultant All About Waste since March 2021. Located on a … Read more

Filed under: eNews, ProjectsTagged with: , , ,

First-of-its-Kind Starbucks Store Opens in Canada

  • Posted on

Starbucks Canada will open a first-of-its-kind Starbucks drive-thru store in Abbotsford, British Columbia. With near-zero construction waste, the store is designed to reduce energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds. According to the Canada Green Building Council, buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global carbon emissions and 50% of global material use. Designed, manufactured and constructed by Nexii Building Solutions, the Starbucks drive-thru store – set to open early this year – represents a step forward in the company’s aspirations to operate more efficient stores. Starbucks has been a global leader in designing its stores … Read more

Filed under: eNewsTagged with: , , , , ,